Sampaoli refuses to rule out Barca switch

Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli says he can't rule out a move to Barcelona if Luis Enrique exits his post at the end of the season.

Enrique is yet to sign a new deal with the Catalan club, and Sampaoli, who is a potential candidate for the post, if it becomes vacant, has previously spoken of his desire to coach Lionel Messi.

The 56-year-old Sampaoli, who has previously been in charge of Chile, was in line to coach Argentina, but he turned down the job having already committed himself to Sevilla.

He succeeded Unai Emery in June.

Sampaoli told Marca: "It's speculation, rumours. Luis Enrique is a winner, he is respected and loved by the fans there.

"If he leaves, there will an enormous list of candidates. I see it very far away although the good moment of Sevilla means that people look at their coach. Nothing more."

When asked if he will remain next season, with his contract running until 2018, he said: "I don't know. You never know. I'm happy here, I fight for things, I have synergy with the sporting director [Monchi]."

On coaching Messi, he concluded: "I doubt that that [offer to coach Argentina] situation will happen again. Argentina has great coaches, it's difficult.

"Unfortunately, it was difficult to say no but I was loyal to the commitment I made to Sevilla.

"To coach Messi is a wish. I've always said that my desire to be with the Argentina national team has a lot to do with watching him train closely every day. But that hasn't happened yet.